Instead of having the usual pre-show match tonight, WWE will be dedicating thirty minutes to John Cena as he will be answering questions from the fans and it will be streamed live on WWE.COM, Facebook, and YouTube.
Fans can ask Cena questions using either Twitter, Facebook, or Tout, using the hashtag #CenaPreShow. The pre-show starts at 7:30PM. This will be the first time in a very long time that John Cena is not in a match on a WWE pay-per-view.
Live tonight from the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, WWE presents Hell In A Cell on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
CM Punk vs Ryback for the WWE title inside the Hell In A Cell; Sheamus vs Big Show for the World Heavyweight title; Kofi Kingston vs The Miz for the Intercontinental title; Kane and Daniel Bryan vs Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow for the Tag Team titles; Eve vs Layla vs Kaitlyn in a triple threat match for the Divas title; and Randy Orton vs Alberto Del Rio.
World Heavyweight champion Sheamus made one soldier very happy on Friday after he made a surprise appearance on HLN’s Morning Express set to give the soldier some great news.
Staff Sgt. Clay Ragsdale – a huge wrestling fan – and a member of the Georgia National Guard was invited to HLN as part of their series where every week they invite a service member leading up to Veterans Day. In 2009, Staff Sgt. Ragsdale was injured by shrapnel in Afghanistan, while serving with the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Now, he helps provide honors during military funerals at the Georgia National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters.
Sheamus walked on set to surprise Staff Sgt. Ragsdale and offered him a ringside seat for WrestleMania and tickets to the Hall of Fame and RAW. Apart from that, WWE is also picking up the tab for his flight and accommodations for him and a guest.
Sheamus also invited him to be his special guest tonight at the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view. You can see the cool TV segment below.
Smackdown ring announcer Lilian Garcia was involved in a car accident on Friday afternoon and is currently at a Los Angeles hospital.
Garcia was struck by a car, suffering multiple contusions and lacerations on the left side of her body according to WWE.COM. Doctors have immobilized Garcia’s neck and will be keeping her hospitalized overnight to monitor her.
Her condition is listed as stable and she is expected to make a full recovery.
Hulk Hogan will be officially opening the Hogan’s Beach Shop in Clearwater, Florida, starting at 10AM.
The shop is part of the Clearwater Pelican Walk Plaza which is located at 483 Mandalay Avenue.
Scheduled to appear today for the grand opening are TNA World champion Austin Aries, Samoa Joe, Joseph Park, Matt Morgan, Jeremy Borash and his longtime friend and manager Jimmy Hart.
You can call the shop at (727) 461-0099 or visit hogansbeachshop.com for more information.
The Miz has landed himself another acting job for a movie which is being developed by WWE Studios and ABC Family titled Christmas Bounty, for a 2013 world premiere during ABC Family’s popular 25 Days of Christmas programming event. The former WWE champion will be starring in the leading role.
Christmas Bounty is an action-filled comedy about a former bounty hunter turned elementary schoolteacher. Determined to have a normal life, and keep her bounty hunter past a secret, she reluctantly returns home for Christmas to help save the family business by catching the one bounty that got away. But when her fiance follows her home for the holiday, she struggles to hide her wild family business and a bounty hunter ex-boyfriend she thought she’d left behind. The movie is scheduled to go into production in early 2013.
“We are so pleased to partner with a tremendous network like ABC Family,” said Michael Luisi, President, WWE Studios. “25 Days of Christmas is one of the biggest cable programming events of the year and is the perfect release platform for this engaging holiday title.”
ABC Family Executive Vice President for Original Series Programming and Development Kate Juergens said that they are also thrilled to partner with WWE to bring their fan base to ABC Family.
The Miz recently took the leading role in The Marine 3: Homefront movie where he replaced Randy Orton.
A recent $5 million donation to the Donald J. Trump Foundation sparked some debates as some pointed it towards the Vince and Linda McMahon Foundation just days after Trump pulled a publicity stunt and offered the same amount to a charity if President Obama releases his college and passport applications.
Linda McMahon was getting the heat for most of it and yesterday, a WWE spokesman revealed that it wasn’t the couple’s Foundation or WWE who made the donation, but it was Vince McMahon on his own.
Linda is running TV ads in Connecticut urging voters to vote for her and President Barack Obama – despite she being a Republican – at the upcoming elections. Earlier this year, Vince and Linda McMahon donated $150,000 to the pro-Mitt Romney super PAC Restore Our Future.
The WWE is listed at the top contributor to the Trump Foundation and the company confirmed that it paid the Donald $1 million to appear at WrestleMania in 2007.
IMPACT Wrestling had two sets of announcers yesterday, the first two tackling the first hour and then another pair doing the second hour.
Long-time TNA employee Jeremy Borash was paired up with Todd Keneley to kick off the show with the veterans, Mike Tenay and Taz taking on the second hour.
Keneley is no stranger to professional wrestling as he has been doing announcer for quite a few years including for the NWA, UPW and NJPW. He was also the ring announcer for the Hulk Hogan Celebrity Championship Wrestling television show which aired in 2008 on CMT.
Impact begins with Hulk Hogan thanking Jeff Hardy for raising the bar. The Hulkster loves cliches, brother. Hogan also tells Hardy that he will either be facing Kurt Angle, Bully Ray, James Storm, or Mr Anderson. As Hardy leaves the office, we hear his inner monologue saying that they all have a weakness; he just has to find it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard another human beings inner voice before, maybe I’m psychic now.
Match #1: RVD versus Zema Ion for the X division title.
Jeremy Borash and Todd Kenely are the announce team starting the show. Taz and Tenay will be back for the second hour.
Zema tries a dropkick, but RVD sidesteps it. Zema tries a quick roll up but RVD reverses it and Zema backs away. Zema puts RVD in a headlock, RVD fights out of it. RVD hits Zema with a kick and then wraps him up in a body scissors. RVD gorilla press slams Zema and then drops him on the mat. RVD hits a standing moonsault then goes to the top rope and hits another moonsault. Zema rolls out to the floor and RVD hits him with a dropkick. Zema pulls RVD out to the floor and slams him into the security barrier.
Zema rolls RVD back in and then charges after him. RVD lands a kick, a punch, and another kick before going for a crossbody. Zerma ducks out of the way and RVD flies out to the floor. Zema flips over the top rope and lands on top of RVD on the floor. Zema rolls RVD into the ring and then snaps his head on the top rope. Zema hits RVD with a DDT and then a kick. Zema goes to the top and misses a corkscrew moonsault. RVD hits a back kick, then rolling thunder, and finally the 5 star frog splash for the win! RVD retains the X division title.
After the match, Matt Morgan lays RVD out with the Carbon Footprint. Joey Ryan grabs the X division title from RVD. Morgan says this is all Hogan’s fault. In the back, Austin Aries is laughing at the contenders that have to talk Hogan into letting them have a title shot. As the former champ, Aries automatically gets a rematch.
Commercial
When we return, former tag champs Kaz and Daniels make their way to the ring. Kaz and Daniels mock Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez, the team that beat them for the titles. Kaz claims they are probably illegal immigrants, and Daniels says they should start wearing sombreros and start calling themselves “Dos Stereotypicos.” Kaz and Daniels start passing around a petition calling for them to get a championship rematch.
Kaz and Daniels are interrupted by Chavo and Hernandez. The champs chase Kaz and Daniels out of the ring and then sign their petition. Chavo says they want to help them get a rematch, so they can prove they are the best tag team in the world.
In the back, Hogan is interviewing his four contenders. Anderson gets a little mouthy about the whole process, so Hogan eliminates him. Aries immediately starts mocking Anderson. Aries tells Anderson that when he gets his title back, he’ll give Anderson a shot. Aries claims it will be sort of a handout, since Aries will beat him so easily. Aries even claims he may be a bigger asshole than Anderson. Anderson attacks Aries and beats the hell out of him. Aries is pissed off and challenges Anderson to a match later tonight.
Commercial
When we return, Devon is telling his fellow Aces and Eights members that the President (not Obama, the Aces and Eights President) has ordered them all to keep their masks on at all times. Devon also says that he has arranged for some “ladies” to entertain them tonight, but first they have to take someone out. They throw a dart at a board with pictures full of wrestlers, but we don’t get to see who the dart landed on.
Match #2: TV champ Samoa Joe versus Robby T with Robby E.
Joe beat Robby E last week. The two men lock up. Joe lands a couple chops and a shoulder block that has almost no effect on big Rob. Robby hammers Joe down and hits him with a couple forearms. Joe responds with a series of chops and slaps to the head. Robby responds with a spin kick that knocks Joe down.
Robby grabs Joe by the throat but Joe punches his way out. Robby E tries to create a distraction as Joe applies the rear naked choke to Robby T. Robby fights his way out twice but Joe gets it back on each time. Robby throws himself backwards onto the mat, flattening Joe. Joe momentarily releases his grip but the re applies it for a fourth time and Robby finally taps out. Commercial
Match #4: Mr. Anderson versus Austin Aries.
The two men lock up and then exchange punches. They lock up again and then Aries retreats to the floor. Aries re renters the ring and they lock up again. Anderson lands a punch to Aries, then grounds and pounds him. Aries retreats to the floor. Aries re enters the ring and gets behind Anderson. Anderson elbows his way out and then pulls a set of brass knuckles out of his trunks. The ref sees the knucks and takes them away from Anderson.
Aries and Anderson exchange punches, with Anderson getting the better of the exchange and knocking Aries to the corner. Anderson bodyslams Aries and Aries responds with a couple punches. Aries puts Anderson in a headlock and then throws him to the floor. Aries hits Anderson with a suicide dive.
Commercial
Aries has Anderson in a headlock and then hits him with a couple punches. Anderson responds with a series of punches and chops. Aries knocks Anderson down with a boot to the face. Aries hits Anderson with a knee drop. Aries lands an elbow and a series of forearms. Anderson responds with a series of strikes and clotheslines and then drops Aries with a neckbreaker. Anderson tries to get Aries up on his shoulders but Aries slides out. Anderson knocks Aries to the floor with a kick and then he hits him with a slingshot crossbody on the floor. Anderson rolls Aries into the ring and gets him up on his shoulders again.
Aries slips out again after grabbing the ref for balance. Aries also slips the brass knuckles out of the refs pocket. Anderson grabs them before Aries can use them, but the ref knocks them out of his hand. Aries hits Anderson with the brass knuckles while the ref is distracted. Aries fakes a pin attempt on himself by draping the unconscious Anderson on top of himself. Aries ‘kicks out’ and puts Anderson in the last chancery. The ref stops the match when he realizes Anderson is unconscious. The fans boo, but they (and I) would have LOVED it if it had been done by Eddie Guerrero, the greatest cheater in wrestling history.
There is a bland segment with Brooke Hogan. Yawn.
Match #5: Brooke Tessmacher versus Tara with Jesse.
The match starts with Miss Tessmacher attacking Tara before the bell and slamming her around the ring area. Tessmacher rolls Tara into the ring and beats on her some more. Jesse gets up on the ring apron to distract Tessmacher; Tara hits her in the back. Tara slams Tessmacher’s face into the mat repeatedly before stopping to kiss Jesse. Tara bodyslams Tessmacher and then goes for a slingshot somersault but misses. Tessmacher lands a chop and a pair of clotheslines. Tessmacher hits Tara with a forearm and then hits her in the face with her ass.
Then she climbs up on the top rope and sticks Tara’s face into her vagina. Not ALL THE WAY IN, that would probably not be OK for Spike TV, but she does smother her face before dropping her with a face plant. Clearly, Tessmacher has dangerous naughty bits. I’ll bet her lovers always have to tap out before finishing. Tessmacher runs to bounce off the ropes, but Jesse pulls the ropes down and Tessmacher goes sprawling out to the floor. Jesse shoves Tessmacher back in and Tara finishes her with the Widow’s peak for the win.
After the match, Brooke Hogan tells Tara and Jesse that ODB wants a fight as part of next week’s open fight night, and she wants to fight…Jesse!
Commercial
Joseph Parks comes in and tells Hogan he still wants to fight someone from Aces and Eights. Hogan is reluctant because Park isn’t a wrestler, but Park produces a paper that will release Hogan and TNA from any liability. Hogan considers it.
Bully Ray walks to the ring to call out his brother Devon. Ray wants to know why Devon sided with Aces and Eights. Devon (with several Aces and Eights members) says he doesn’t owe Ray an explanation: they aren’t partners or brothers anymore. Devon explains anyway.
He claims that Hogan and TNA abandoned him, but Aces and Eights had his back. Devon also reminds Bull Ray that it was Bully that betrayed Devon two years ago. Bully says they both know why he did that: After they lost their retirement match to the Motor City Machine Guns, Devon told Ray “What are you so upset for, we’re rich, screw the fans!” Devon doesn’t try to deny it, and says screw the fans again.
Ray says that Devon never had any balls and calls him a coward. Ray also challenges Devon to a match next week on Open Fight Night.
Commercial
When we return, Joey Ryan and Matt Morgan are bragging about their attack on RVD. Ryan wants to be X division champ, and Morgan just wants to make life miserable for Hogan.
Hogan, meanwhile, is talking to James Storm and Kurt Angle to determine who will face Hardy tonight. Hogan picks Angle, but he also tells Storm he has “something HUGE for him.” Storm and Hogan walk off together to see what this huge thing is Hogan is talking about. I hope it’s not another Hogan sex tape.
Commercial
Match #6: Kurt Angle versus TNA champ Jeff Hardy. The two men lock up twice and separate, feeling each other out. Kurt shoulder blocks Hardy. Hardy arm drags Angle twice and keeps hold of the arm on the mat. Angel escapes and slams Hardy’s face into the corner. Angle and Hardy exchange punches; Hardy gets the edge and then dropkicks Angle into the corner. Angle lands a kick and then tries to come off the second rope. Hardy dodges Angle’s attack and then hits him with a double leg drop. Hardy hits Angle with a dropkick and then climbs to the top. Angle crotches Hardy on the top rope and then knocks him to the floor.
Commercial
When we return Angle has Hardy in a headlock Jeff fights his way out and then they clothesline each other at the same time. Jeff gets to his feet first and hits a couple more clotheslines. Hardy hits Angle with a headscissors takedown and sends him flying out of the ring and into the security barrier. Hardy flies off the ring apron and clotheslines Angle on the floor. They re enter the ring and Hardy hits Angle with whisper in the wind. Hardy tries the twist of fate, but Angle blocks it and responds with three German Suplexes. When Hardy gets to his feet, he hits Twist of Fate and climbs to the top. Angle runs up the ropes after Hardy and throws him out into the middle of the ring.
Angle hits Hardy with a sweet powerbomb and then applies the ankle lock. Hardy rolls out of the ankle lock and kicks Angle to the mat. Hardy climbs to the top and tries the swanton but misses. Angle hits hardy with the Angle Slam and gets a 2 count. Hardy hits Angle with a kick and then two consecutive Twists of Fate. Hardy goes to the top and hits Angle with a swanton bomb but only gets a 2 count!! Angle bodyslams Hardy hard to the mat and Hardy rolls out to the floor. Angle tries for another Angle Slam, but Hardy rolls through and wraps Angle up for the win! Hardy retains his title.
After the match, Austin Aries cheap shots Hardy and steals one of his belts. Aries tells the unconscious Hardy that he will cash in his rematch at the Turning Point Pay Per View.
In the back, Aces and Eights reveal their victim for tonight, the man who’s picture they hit with a dart: Kurt Angle. Aces and Eights put a beating on Angle as Impact goes off the air.
Independent federation D2W Pro Wrestling which is based in New Jersey will be holding a benefit show for the Juliana Donnelly family on December 1, 2012 at 7:30PM ET at 44 Cooper Road, Denville, NJ 07834
5 year old Juliana has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain cancer – Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) – and steroids and chemotherapy are often the only option.
Ringside tickets are priced at $25.00 and general admission are $15.00. Anyone interested can call the D2W office at 973.627.1180. All the money from tickets will go to her family and towards research for this rare cancer.
You can read more about her story and what the local community is doing to help at NJ.COM.
WWE and SyFy today announced that SuperSmackdown Live will return on Tuesday, November 6, at 8PM EST on SyFy with the show airing from the LG Arena in Birmingham, England.
While it will be branded under the SuperSmackdown Live title and airing on Tuesdays – the day of the tapings – the show will not be live as it will be taped across the pond but it will air only on a few hours delay.
An encore of the show will air on Friday night at the usual time slot on SyFy.
Dana White announced on the Dave and Mahoney show on CBS Radio that Brock Lesnar is done with mixed martial arts and will not be coming back to the UFC.
“He called me a couple of days ago. He’s never coming back, his body can’t take it,” White said. He added that Lesnar said he could wrestle but can’t fight.
“He was contemplating coming back,” the UFC President added.
White has left the door open for Lesnar’s return after the former UFC Heavyweight champion called it quits after he was defeated by Alistair Overeem last year in December.
Following a new deal with WWE, Lesnar showed up at the UFC 146 pay-per-view in Las Vegas and was shown on camera, fueling more speculations that Lesnar was thinking of coming back. White had a meeting with Lesnar that weekend and said that the meeting couldn’t have gone any worse and it wasn’t good at all.
Despite the meeting, White was optimistic and often said in interviews that he would love to have Lesnar back for one more fight. Brock has been one of the most successful fighters in terms of pay-per-view draws and did millions and millions of money for the UFC.
Jim Varsallone of the Miami Herald is reporting that Ene Watts and the Watts family have agreed to sell the video library of Mid-South Wrestling to WWE.
The library contains around 1,200 hours of footage from the 1970s and 1980s and the library was one of the last meaningful ones remaining for WWE to acquire.
Ene Watts – the ex-wife of WWE Hall of Famer Cowboy Bill Watts – owned the library as part of a divorce settlement. It has not been revealed how much WWE paid the Watts family for the library.
WWE has well over 100,000 hours worth of footage including libraries of Capitol Wrestling Corporation, WWWF, WWF, WWE, WCW, AWA, GCW, ECW, OVW, Deep South Wrestling, Memphis Championship Wrestling, SMW, Stampede Wrestling, UPW, WCCW, and Maple Leaf Wrestling.
In a press release issued today by WWE and Marvel, it was announced that WWE champion CM Punk wrote the introduction for the limited-edition Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover.
“To say I’m flattered to write the intro for the biggest comic book crossover EVER would be…well it wouldn’t be me,” said CM Punk. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s super cool, but it also makes sense. Best superheroes in the world? Check. Best writers in the world (plus Ed Brubaker)? Check. Best artists in the world? Yup, them too. Best wrestler in the world. That’s me! So it’s the best team of all time! We are all the best! Now you will read the best!”
The Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover features exclusive behind-the-scenes extras utilizing special augmented reality technology, Avengers vs. X-Men Infinite comics in print for the very first time, and a code for a free digital copy available exclusively through the Marvel Comics app & Marvel Digital Comics Shop!
The book will sell for $75 and will be out in November.
Lafayette, CA (October 22, 2012) – UFC GYM, the fitness destination that goes beyond the traditional workout, announces plans to bring the brand’s first east coast facility to Long Island, NY (2020 Jericho Turnpike New Hyde Park, NY 11040). The 24-hour full-service facility is set to open for workouts in spring 2013 and will offer an array of programming for the entire family and every fitness level.
“Just like the UFC has revolutionized the world of combat sports, we are now bringing the newest innovation of fitness and training to the East Coast,” said UFC president, Dana White. “UFC GYM is for everyone who wants to have a place to work out and who is looking to change up what they do when they go to the gym.”
UFC GYM Long Island will join a multitude of other businesses in an expansive free-standing building. Its ‘Train Different’ approach offers an alternative to the traditional workout with a multitude of ways for the entire family to sweat, move and burn different through signature classes and specialized equipment. The club will feature an array of amenities to provide everything needed to ‘Train Different’, including a 32 ft. Octagon, BJJ Studio, Bag Room, top-of-the-line strength training and cardio machines, battling ropes, agility ladders and other functional training equipment for explosive workouts. In addition to expert Personal Trainers to help people of all fitness levels achieve undeniable results, the club space boasts an expansive 2,500 sq. ft. group fitness studio to house a full range of UFC GYM’s signature classes including Hot Hula, Women’s Self Defense, Performance Cycling, and more.
“Every gym that we open just gets better! Fusing together what is so great about mixed martial arts, with state-of-the art fitness equipment and amenities, clearly makes UFC GYM the most unique training option in the world today,” said Adam Sedlack, senior vice president, UFC Gym.
“What makes our gyms so special is that we bring fitness and community together – when Dad is doing a boxing class, Mom can be taking High Octane Condition, all while the kids are improving their athletic performance,” added Sedlack. “We have something for everyone, and cannot wait to show our ‘Train Different’ approach to the residents of Long Island.
UFC GYM Long Island is set to open for workouts in spring, 2013. Residents and commuters will enjoy easy access at the club’s location in the heavily traveled intersection of Jericho Turnpike and Leonard Boulevard, and within walking distance of two Long Island Rail Road train stops and bus stops. In addition to the club’s training options, UFC GYM Long Island will offer full-service locker rooms, an Arm Bar Café, featuring a tasty assortment of healthy shakes and smoothies and a retail shop. To create a fitness destination for the whole family, the club also offers a UFC Kids GYM, a private kids training area, offering Youth Fitness Classes, Active Fitness Gaming, Youth Mixed Martial Arts and Ultimate Birthday Parties.
An enrollment center will be opening soon in the area. To reserve your reduced pre-opening special rates and to find out more about UFC GYM, visit www.ufcgymlongisland.com.
John Cena was honored by Make-A-Wish last week at their Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony for being the only celebrity to reach the record-breaking milestone of fulfilling 300 wishes.
Cena became the first recipient of the 300th Wish Award at the annual Make-A-Wish awards ceremony in Glendale, AZ. His award was presented by wish mom Judith Harrison, whose late son Justin was the second wish child Cena ever met, before an audience of hundreds of Make-A Wish national and chapter staff, volunteer leaders, and wish families.
“WWE Superstar John Cena is a champion in the ring and a champion for Make-A-Wish and wish kids across the world,” said David A. Williams, president and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish America. “Even in the face of a hectic travel schedule, the physical demands of his job and countless requests for his time, John’s commitment to creating life-changing wish experiences for each and every wish kid requesting to meet him has never wavered. He is an amazing wish granter and a great friend of Make-A-Wish.”
Cena said that he cannot think of no greater honor than being chosen to be the wish of someone when they have the chance for any wish in the world they want.
“I will continue to grant wishes as long as there are children who request me. I am proud to be a part of WWE’s long standing alliance with Make-A-Wish.”
The New York Daily News is reporting that Hulk Hogan lost round one in his fight against Gawker.com after a judge denied the former wrestling champ’s request for a temporary restraining order which would have removed his one minute excerpt of his sex tape from the website.
“Plaintiff has failed to show that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result before Defendants can be heard in opposition,” U.S. District Judge James Whittemore wrote in his ruling.
A hearing has been set for November 8 in Tampa, Florida.
The pre-sale code for WrestleMania tickets will be IZODVIP and fans wishing to attend to the event can purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public starting on November 8 at 10AM EST.
Tickets will go on sale to the rest of the general public on November 10 at 10AM EST and as always it is expected to be a hot ticket.
Fans who will be attending are encouraged to purchase tickets early to avoid going through other websites which will charge much more over the face value for a ticket. Any tickets sold other than the box office or Ticketmaster is through a third party and will charge more.
Ticket prices will range from $35 all the way up to $2,000 for the first four ringside seats.
This is it – the final stop before Hell In The Cell, this Sunday! Now we know what will be the main event – Ryback VS. WWE Champion C.M. Punk, inside that punishing steel structure. Also, another match will be set for the pay-per-view, as after tonight either The Rhodes Scholars (Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes) or Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara will be challenging “Team Hell No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) for the Tag-Team Championship, following their faceoff in the Tag-Team Title tournament conclusion.
Will there be any more bouts booked for October’s annual? What will go down tonight as it all boils over with six days to go? Only one way to find out, plus my picks for the card, all below! Read on!
Monday Night Raw Report for October 22nd, 2012 – “Hell In A Cell!”
Match #1: Tag-Team Tournament Final – Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara VS. Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow)
Raw starts off right off the bat with this big bout (no intro video or pyro), as Michael Cole and Jim Ross welcome us to the IZOD Center. Also, an big tweet from Raw General Manager A.J. Lee informs us that she has been called to an “emergency meeting with the WWE Board Of Directors.” (Ah-oh!)
Cara and Cody begin, with Sin battling out of the corner with his kicks and then hitting a hurricanrana. He tags to Rey, and they double-team Rhodes with a faceplant for a two-count! Rhodes soon falls down and uppercuts Mystery, then switches with Sandow.
Rey and Damien trade a bit, with Mysterio hitting a headscissors and setting Sandow up for the 6-1-9. Rhodes pulls Sandow out of the ring, but both Mysterio and Cara hit suicide dives and seated sentons, respectively, to take their opponents to the floor. Mysterio now holds Sandow on the middle rope and tags in Cara, who falls onto Damien with a springboard moonsault! 1 – 2 – Sandow kicks out!
Cara misses a corner springboard crossbody, allowing Sandow to take control. He tags in Cody, who slams down Sin with a standing vertical suplex into a faceplant. Rhodes Scholars continue to switch back and forth all while dominating Cara, classic tag-team heel style! Sin manages to counter with a headbutt-to-the-gut and an enziguri. Both men down to go to break.
Commercials.
Back live, Cody is in dominance again, until Cara shoves Rhodes off the turnbuckles and flies off with a Tornado DDT. He tags in Mysterio, who dives onto Cody with a seated senton, and Mysterio is on fire with all his aerial attacks! Mysterio dives from the top rope, planting himself with a moonsault, but only receives 2! He soon catches both Rhodes and Sandow in position and nails them with the 6-1-9. One more time, off the top rope with the Drop Of The Dime splash, 1 – 2 – NO! Sandow saves the match by diving UNDER the referees hand-count to prevent a 3! (Very creative!) Cara kicks out Damien, which slightly distracts Mysterio who falls prey to the Crossrhodes reverse spinning neckbreaker, and the victory for Team Rhodes Scholars!
Winners and #1 Contender’s for the Tag-Team Championship: Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow)
Post-match, the WWE Tag-Team Champions appear on the titantron. Kane and Daniel Bryan warn Rhodes Scholars that “Hell No!” they will not win the Titles. Kane then performs a little “magic,” pushing Bryan aside and lighting off his pyro in the ring.
Ads.
Match #2: Single – Michael McGuillicutty VS. Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston (Non-Title)
Prior to the contest, footage of last week’s WWE Main Event show airs, giving us clips of Kingston winning the I.C. Title. (Note: The Miz is on commentary). McGuillicutty aggressive early with punches in the corner and a high dropkick off the ropes. Hanging backbreaker from McGuillicutty and he is in complete control right from the get go. All of a sudden, Kofi dives over Michael, then knocks him out with the Trouble In Paradise tornado kick to get the 1 – 2 -3!
Winner via Pinfall: Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston
Segment #1: Video Promo
Michael Cole, Jim Ross, and footage from last week’s ending to Raw recap why Ryback is the new #1 Contender to WWE Champion C.M. Punk.
Up next, John Cena is speculated to explain why he gave Ryback his confidence vote.
Commercials.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
Cena welcomes the New York Giants NFL Football team, then gets down to business. He talks about WWE Champion C.M. Punk, who has lasted 337 days as champion. However, that will come to an end of Sunday, as there will be the “change” that Punk talked about last year. This change though, is in the form of a 291-pound machine. That machine is Ryback – a man who stands for only one thing – destruction. Cena declares that this Sunday, “the face of the WWE will change!”
Before he can go further, the WWE Champion walks out with Paul Heyman and his title. Standing on the stage, donned in a grey hoodie, C.M. Punk calls Cena’s change “laughable” and instead offers his 337-day title reign compared to Cena not being champion “change you can count on.” As always, Punk proclaims that he is the “best in the world” and promises to walk out of Hell In The Cell still the WWE Champion.
Punk admires Cena’s new role of “cheerleader” for Ryback, and tells John that he cannot beat him. Cena retorts, saying that he wasn’t “allowed” to beat you. However, now Cena is medically cleared to compete. Cena says that he won’t interfere though in the pay-per-view championship match, instead he wants to give Punk a “pre-ass-whooping to the real ass-whooping.”
Both Punk and Cena strip off their shirts, and as Punk marches down the ramp, Heyman begs him to reconsider. Punk stares at Cena from the apron, then backs off, holding his WWE Championship high.
Ads.
Match #3: Single – Justin Gabriel VS. United States Champion Antonio Cesaro (Non-Title)
Gabriel starts this off fast, with a springboard plancha, but Cesaro quickly counters by flapjacking Justin onto the ropes. Harsh uppercuts, both to front and back of Gabriel’s head, then a gutwrench slam by Antonio. The U.S. Champ locks on a grounding rear facelock, which Gabriel tries to fight out of, but gets dumped atop the turnbuckle and booted in the gut. Gabriel counters another move by landing on his feet and mounts a small comeback, climbing the top-rope, but getting crotched. However, Justin fights out a couple moves by Cesaro and kicks him to the mat. Gabriel then manages to fly with the 450 and get the surprising upset!
Winner via Pinfall: Justin Gabriel
Backstage, a limousine pulls into the arena. Outcomes WWE Owner Vince McMahon and Raw General Manager A.J. Lee!
Commercials.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is in the ring with Raw General Manager A.J. She is looking somber as Mr. McMahon informs us that A.J. has had meetings all day with Board Of Directors regarding her status as G.M. Lee then tells us that due to allegations of her “fraternizing” with a superstar, she is resigning as Raw General Manager. (To a loud pop from the crowd). She says the allegations are completely false, but understands that she could’ve been fired anyway for attacking Vickie Guerrero and Paul Heyman, so that’s why she decided to quit herself. A.J. now goes onto recall her life, from being “homeless to being the boss”, the typical sympathy vote. She hugs Vince to finish off.
Paul Heyman now walks out and not-so-subtly projects himself as the next pick for the Raw G.M. position. McMahon simply says “no,” then introduces us to Vickie Guerrero, who is now the “managing supervisor” of Monday Night Raw. (In other words, the same position, different name!)
Vickie walks out and gives her thanks to the Board of Directors, but gets interrupted by Heyman. Paul E. wants her to change the main-event for H.I.A.C., but Guerrero does not go for it. Instead, she books (another) Champion VS. Champion bout, with WWE Champion C.M. Punk taking on World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and adding lumberjacks to it! Heyman goes ballistic and walks out.
Guerrero turns her attention to A.J., degrading her age-inappropriate for a position of huge power. She then accuses A.J. of having an affair, then orders her out of “her ring.” A.J. begins to walk, but then turns around and jumps all over Vickie, engaging in a catfight! A.J. gets the best of it, laughing in the ring at the end while Guerrero heads to the back with the help of referees.
Up next, Ryback taking on The Miz
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Match #4: Single – Ryback VS. The Miz
I think you know how this goes by now! Ryback dominates, polishing off Miz with a clothesline then the marching Samoan drop – called “Shellshocked” – for the quick and decisive victory.
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Commercials.
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Eve is on the phone, discussing A.J.’s “fraternization,” when Kaitlyn walks up. She still accuses Eve of attacking her at Night Of Champions, until Kaitlyn provides her with photo-evidence, and calls her a “conniving witch.” Another catfight ensues between the two rivals, and Divas Champion Layla manages to get involved too, until all three are broken up by referees.
Segment #5: Locker Room Promo
Josh Matthews asks World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus about his bout with WWE Champion C.M. Punk tonight. Sheamus says he loves the potential chaos with all the lumberjacks. Big Show now walks in, and punches out Sheamus’ stuffed toy that was in his hands. Show warns Sheamus to get serious for Sunday.
Match #5: Single – Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank,” “The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler
(Entrances prior to/during a commercial break). Lockup by both and they trade wristlocks, until Bryan takes Dolph down with a Northernlight suplex. Both get up and trade more maneuvers until Dolph hits a high dropkick to gain control over Daniel. Ziggler picks him up and drives Bryan down with a classic neckbreaker, but gets caught into a flapjack from Bryan. He locks on a surfboard-like submission and yanks at Ziggler’s nose for more pain. Dolph counters a leg-wrap-around and pushes Bryan into the corner. He punches away against the turnbuckle, but Bryan reverses into a cradle and figure-four leglock! Ziggler manages to clutch the bottom rope for the break. On the apron, Dolph dumps Bryan out to the floor via a suplex, and Daniel is holding onto his left knee. Just now, his partner’s pyro explodes and Kane walks out slowly.
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Ziggler is back in control with a headlock, but Daniel soon gains some momentum back. Short forearm clothesline then a running front-corner dropkick, with Ziggler selling beautiful. Bryan now kicks away and attempts the “no Lock” submission, but Dolph rolls out of it. Ziggler counters a potential spear-attempt into a jumping DDT! 1 – 2 – Bryan kicks out! Ziggler attempts a splash in the corner but eats only ringpost. Daniel capitalizes with a Suicide Dive and ascends the turnbuckle. Ziggler meets him there, however, drops with him into a facebuster! 1 – 2 – Bryan kicks out! Bryan now stiff-kicks Ziggler, but notices Kane trying to “rile up” the crowd with “yes chants.” Bryan takes umbrage with this, but it costs him since Ziggler brings him down from behind with the Zig-Zag for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler
Post-match, Kane and Daniel dispute the finish until Matt Striker walks out and delivers a surprise for them, courtesy of Vickie Guerrero. They will compete against their challengers, Team Rhodes Scholars, in a gameshow, a ‘la “The Newly Wed Game.” This is up next.
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
This is a version of the “Newly Wed Game”, called “The Newly Tag Game.” Striker asks Team “Hell No” to introduce themselves. They do so, like the actual game show, and then Striker brings out Team Rhodes Scholars. In short (thankfully, because this one is pretty stupid), Damien Sandow says that he and Cody Rhodes will not be playing this, as it is way below their intellectual level. Instead, they will get to know “Team Hell No” when they defeat them Sunday for the Tag-Team Championship.
Striker manages to back out this, but not Big Show, who throws Show across the stage!
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Match #6: Single – Tag-Team Champion Kane (with Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan) VS. The Big Show (Non-Title)
This is your typical two-big-men match, with Show dominating the whole way. He manages to knock out Kane with the punch after Sandow and Rhodes distract him and Bryan. 1 – 2 – 3 for Big.
Winner via Pinfall: Big Show
Post-match, Team Rhodes Scholars run down and beat up both Kane and Bryan, exhibiting their challenge for the Tag-Team Championship on Sunday.
Segment #7: Backstage Promo
Santino Marella consoles A.J. and tells her that he thought she did a good job as G.M. John Cena now walks in and berates A.J. for not fighting for her position. A.J. reveals that the accusations were against her and Cena! (That was a twist!) This stems from a “business” dinner they had, and Cena is livid about this, so he vows to figure it all out.
Commercials.
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
John Cena confronts Mr. McMahon, but it is not useful, as McMahon basically says “it is what it is” regarding A.J.
Match #7: Single – “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder VS. Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Alberto starts right away with punches and kicks, then puts Zack to the mat with a quick snap suplex. Ryder fights out of a shoulder lock, but walks into a high-kick from Del Rio. Another submission is clamped on by Alberto, which again Zack battles out of. He runs over Del Rio with a couple of short-clotheslines and double-knees into Alberto’s face. He goes for the Broski Boot, but misses and Del Rio kicks away at Ryder’s left arm against the ropes. Alberto pulls him up and locks in the Rolling Cross Armbreaker for the tap out!
Winner via Submission: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Post-match, Alberto continues to hold onto his submission, showing Randy Orton what damage he can do.
Segment #9: Office Promo
John Cena barges into Vickie Guerrero’s new office and confronts her about the turn of events. Bottom line, Guerrero says that Cena cost A.J. her job when he asked her out on a date on Raw. Cena walks out in disgust.
Up next, the main event!
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Segment #10: Backstage Promo
Josh Matthews asks Dolph Ziggler about A.J. Of course, he goes to bat for Vickie and blames John Cena for the loss of A.J.’s job.
Segment #11: Video Promo
Clips of Ryback’s career and hype are shown, to build him as the credible challenger for WWE Champion C.M Punk.
Segment #12: Locker Room Promo
WWE Champion C.M. Punk and Paul Heyman were watching that montage, and Heyman says not to let that get into his head. He builds up Punk, saying that next Monday night, he will still be the WWE Champion and “best in the world.”
The lumberjacks (Raw Roster) now makes their way to the ring for the main-event, next!
Commercials.
Match #8: Single/Lumberjack – WWE Champion C.M. Punk VS. World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus
Lock up and waistlock by both, with Sheamus taking Punk down and C.M. rolling into a grounding headlock. Punk and Sheamus trade throwing each other into the lumberjacks, who just toss them back into the ring respectively. Sheamus reverses a neckbreaker into a shoulder block and drops a big elbow for a two-count! He clotheslines Punk over the ropes, allowing the L.J’s to throw him back in again. Sheamus pounds away on Punk’s chest against the ropes, but C.M. “jawbreaks” him with the rope. “The Second-City Saint” flies with a springboard forearm, but again only for two! Punk now chucks Sheamus into the lumberjacks again, and this time they kick away before putting him back in the ring. 1 – 2 – Sheamus kicks out!
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Back live, Punk has a hammerlock gripped on and wiggles out of a fireman’s carry. He again throws Sheamus to the lumberjacks to stomp away, then he hits a neckbreaker and double-axe handle off the top, twice. The third time, Sheamus counters with a punch to Punk’s stomach, but quickly gets kneed in his own gut. Sheamus begins to regain momentum by fighting out of a headlock, then rolling over Punk with the fireman’s carry. Sheamus pounds away again on the tatooed chest of Punk against the ropes, then brings the “Straight-Edge Superstar” back in the ring with a suplex.
Sheamus rolls through a sunset flip, but gets pushed off after a Texas Cloverleaf submission attempt. Punk runs at him in the corner with a high-knee, and brings him out with a short-arm forearm smash. Punk rolls up Sheamus, grabbing the tights, but still only gets a two! Punk ascends the turnbuckle again and dives off with an elbow drop, but Sheamus rolls out of the way! Sheamus drives down with the Irish Curse backbreaker for a two-count! Punk gets out of another Cloverleaf attempt and sends Sheamus to the outside for another beatdown. He returns into the ring to deliver a White Noise, then sets up for the Brogue Kick, however a couple of the lumberjacks distract him, allowing Big Show to Chokeslam Sheamus down. Punk capitalizes for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: WWE Champion C.M Punk
Post-match, Ryback marches his way to the ring and business is about to pick up! Punk tries to escape but the L.J.’s send him back to get powerslammed by Ryback. He gets picked up again and powerbombed this time! Military press and Ryback throws his opponent into the rest of the lumberjacks. Ryback stands strong, staring at a fallen Punk who is crawling up the aisle with Paul Heyman. Ryback mouths “feed me more” as Raw fades to black!
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
This was a great “go-home” show before the pay-per-view, and really everything worked well. Onto the nitpick analysis.
Excellence: the matches – all but one (Cesaro/Gabriel) involved someone on the H.I.A.C. card, and made sense. None of tonight’s bouts felt like “fillers” and the top-notch were Gabriel/Cesaro (even that could potentially lead to a H.I.A.C. match of sorts), the Tag-Title tourney finals, Ziggler/Bryan, and the main-event. Really proud of the wrestling efforts tonight.
Big Show’s interactions with Sheamus – short, sweet, and powerful. That’s the way he needs to be when talking. That’s how I can believe him as a credible threat to anyone, particularly when the World Heavyweight Championship is involved.
NO 3MB (Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre, Jinder Mahal)!!! Enough said!!!
The build that Ryback has over Punk. I’ll admit, this works well and nice to see a new face get a dominance over Punk.
Really, the whole show.
Bogus: Only two segments bugged me: the whole A.J./Vickie G.M. Swap and “affair” storyline. Unnecessary in my book and “been there, done that.” Hopefully, this will end quickly, like next week in Charlotte with the naming of a “Nature Boy” for permanent G.M.?
The other was the game-show, that was just dumb, but kudos to having Team Rhode Scholars make it below their level and back out, not only giving credibility to their characters, but also putting an end to that very quickly!
Overall, this episode built Hell In The Cell well. It hyped up the main matches of Hell In The Cell beautifully and really has intrigue going into Sunday and beyond. Now my quick picks for the pay-per-view:
1. Kofi retains his Intercontinental Title over The Miz, and finally brings some excitement back to the once-prestigious championship
2. New tag-team champions in Team Rhodes Scholars, also to mix up the picture a little. Plus, they really do gel awesomely as a team and are actually believable as a long-term partnership.
3. Randy Orton defeats Alberto Del Rio
4. Big Show captures the World Heavyweight Championship – fresh rivalry with Sheamus as a “chaser.” Dolph will wait a little longer for a cash-in opportunity.
5. C.M Punk somehow escapes with his WWE Title, but Ryback also remains undefeated. I don’t know how, but that is what will happen, I strongly think.
Until next week, where I’ll see how many I got right and how the “landscape” of the WWE may have changed, as always Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
